LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office has identified the man shot to death in Long Beach on Mar. 1.
According to Long Beach police, officers responded to reports of shots fired at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the 200 block of Pine Avenue, near the spot where a large group of people had gathered for the opening of Marathon Burger, a fast-food chain founded by the late rapper Nipsey Hussle and his family.
The shots were heard coming from a parking structure as responding officers were making their way to the location, where one man was discovered with a gunshot wound and immediately received medical aid until the arrival of Long Beach Fire Department personnel.
Police said the man was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
The man has been identified as 20-year-old Bryan Lofton.
Two other victims were located near the scene with non-life-threatening gunshot injuries. Both were taken to a hospital and considered stable.
Marathon Burger said in a statement to KTLA, “The opening was a huge success with strong community support. The incident being reported was NOT connected to our event, even within our block party. The opening itself proceeded safely and without issue. The restaurant remains open, and customers are still flowing in and out.”
No suspects were in custody, police said.
Homicide detectives believe there are potential additional witnesses and video related to the shooting and are requesting that anyone who has additional details about the incident come forward.
Anyone with information can contact LBPD homicide detectives Eric Thai or Chasen Contreras at 562-570-7244. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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